Container puncturing device

ABSTRACT

A container puncturing device for efficiently and safely emptying the contents of a container into a storage tank or other structure. The container puncturing device generally includes a cross bar having a pair of tank attachment assemblies, a pair of bucket attachment assemblies and a puncturing member secured thereto. The bucket attachment assemblies are adapted to allow the present invention to be lifted and moved by a loader bucket such as one attached to a skid steer loader. The tank attachment assemblies are utilized to secure the present invention to the upper end of a tank. When a container is lowered onto the puncturing member, any particulate materials stored therein will be dispensed into the tank through the punctured opening. The present invention may then be lifted off and away from the tank through use of the bucket attachment assemblies and a loader bucket.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a container puncturing deviceand more specifically it relates to a container puncturing device forefficiently and safely emptying the contents of a container into astorage tank or other structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Large containers of particulate matter are often delivered toconstruction sites and other locations for use in operations. Forexample, in oil drilling rigs, large containers of fly ash are routinelydelivered for use in mixing with oil well drill cuttings, such as shalebits and the like. In the past, these containers have been lifted over atank and then cut open by hand, such as by a worker with a knife.

The manual opening of such containers to dispense their contents into atank has traditionally been a dangerous operation. A worker is oftenrequired to stand under an extremely heavy container of material which,if dislodged from the structure lifting it, can fall on the worker andcause serious injury or death. Further, when cutting open such acontainer from the bottom, the worker is often exposed to the materialbeing dispensed.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved container puncturing device for efficiently andsafely emptying the contents of a container into a storage tank or otherstructure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a container puncturing device whichincludes a cross bar having a pair of tank attachment assemblies, a pairof bucket attachment assemblies and a puncturing member secured thereto.The bucket attachment assemblies are adapted to allow the presentinvention to be lifted and moved by a loader bucket such as one attachedto a skid steer loader. The tank attachment assemblies are utilized tosecure the present invention to the upper end of a tank. When acontainer is lowered onto the puncturing member, any particulatematerials stored therein will be dispensed into the tank through thepunctured opening. The present invention may then be lifted off and awayfrom the tank through use of the bucket attachment assemblies and aloader bucket.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjuncton with the accompanying drawings,in which like reference characters designate the same or similar partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention positionedon a loader bucket.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention positionedover a tank.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a container being lowered onto the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of a container being punctured by the presentinvention to dispense particulate material.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention illustrating repositioningof the tank attachment assemblies.

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 8 illustrate a container puncturing device 10, which comprises across bar 20 having a pair of tank attachment assemblies 30, 40, a pairof bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 and a puncturing member 70secured thereto. The bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 are adapted toallow the present invention to be lifted and moved by a loader bucket 16such as one attached to a skid steer loader. The tank attachmentassemblies 30, 40 are utilized to secure the present invention to theupper end of a tank 18. When a container 12 is lowered onto thepuncturing member 70, any particulate materials 13 stored therein willbe dispensed into the tank 18 through the punctured opening. The presentinvention may then be lifted off and away from the tank 18 through useof the bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 and a loader bucket 16.

B. Cross Bar

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention generally includes a cross bar20 having a first end 21 and a second end 22. The cross bar 20 iscomprised of an elongated member to which the tank and bucket attachmentassemblies 30, 40, 50, 60 and puncturing member 70 are secured.

It should be appreciated that the size and configuration of the crossbar 20 will vary for different applications (i.e. differently sizedloader buckets 16 and/or tanks 18). Further, the material andconfiguration of the cross bar 20 may vary in different embodiments.Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be construed asbeing limited by the exemplary figures.

C. Tank Attachment Assemblies

As shown in the figures, the present invention generally includes a pairof tank attachment assemblies 30, 40 which are utilized to secure thepresent invention over the side walls of a storage tank 18 as shown inFIG. 3. Generally, a first tank attachment assembly 30 will be securedadjacent a first end 21 of the cross bar 20 and a second tank attachmentassembly 40 will be secured adjacent a second end 22 of the cross bar20.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the first tank attachment assembly 30 iscomprised of a pair of side members 32, 34 which define a first channel34 in which a side wall of a tank 18 will be secured when the presentinvention is in use. The first and second side members 32, 34 eachextend perpendicularly with respect to the cross bar 20 and arehorizontally offset from each other to form the channel 34. Thehorizontal offset, and the thus the width of the channel 34, may varyfor different embodiments and thus should not be construed as beinglimited by the exemplary figures.

The side members 32, 34 are secured to each other via a pair of crossmembers 35, 36 as best shown in FIG. 1. Each of the cross members 35, 36is comprised of an elongated member which extends from the first sidemember 32 to the second side member 33 of the first tank attachmentassembly 30. The cross members 35, 36 extend perpendicularly withrespect to the side members 32, 33 and parallel with respect to thecross bar 20.

The cross members 35, 36 may include multiple apertures thereon as shownin FIG. 1 to allow for easy repositioning of the cross members 35, 36with respect to each other so as to be able to vary the width of thechannel 34 for different tank side wall configurations and sizes.

The cross members 35, 36 are secured to the cross bar 20 via one or moreadjustment members 37, 38. The adjustment members 37, 38 are generallycomprised of brackets, tie-downs or other structures which are capableof secured a first elongated structure to a second, perpendicularelongated structure. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment members37, 38 will be easily removable so as to be able to adjust thepositioning of the side members 32, 33 with respect to the cross bar 20as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the second tank attachment assembly 40 iscomprised of a pair of side members 32, 34 which define a second channel44 in which a side wall of a tank 18 will be secured when the presentinvention is in use. The first and second side members 42, 44 eachextend perpendicularly with respect to the cross bar 20 and arehorizontally offset from each other to form the channel 44. Thehorizontal offset, and the thus the width of the channel 44, may varyfor different embodiments and thus should not be construed as beinglimited by the exemplary figures.

The side members 42, 44 are secured to each other via a pair of crossmembers 45, 46 as best shown in FIG. 1. Each of the cross members 45, 46is comprised of an elongated member which extends from the first sidemember 42 to the second side member 43 of the second tank attachmentassembly 40. The cross members 45, 46 extend perpendicularly withrespect to the side members 42, 43 and parallel with respect to thecross bar 20.

The cross members 45, 46 may include multiple apertures thereon as shownin FIG. 1 to allow for easy repositioning of the cross members 45, 46with respect to each other so as to be able to vary the width of thechannel 44 for different tank side wall configurations and sizes.

The cross members 45, 46 are secured to the cross bar 20 via one or moreadjustment members 47, 48. The adjustment members 47, 48 are generallycomprised of brackets, tie-downs or other structures which are capableof secured a first elongated structure to a second, perpendicularelongated structure. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment members47, 48 will be easily removable so as to be able to adjust thepositioning of the side members 42, 43 with respect to the cross bar 20as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, some embodiments of the present invention may omitusage of the second side members 33, 43 of the respective tankattachment assemblies 20, 30. While such a configuration may be slightlyless secure in its attachment to a tank 18, it eases installation andrequires usage of less materials.

D. Bucket Attachment Assemblies

Due to the weight of the present invention, it is necessary to usemachinery to lift the container puncturing device 10 in place over atank. As best shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a pair ofbucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 which are utilized to secure thepresent invention to a loader bucket 16 so that it may be easilyinstalled or removed from a tank 18.

Generally, a first bucket attachment assembly 50 will be secured to thecross bar 20 between the first tank attachment assembly 30 and thepuncturing member 70. Similarly, the second bucket attachment assembly60 will be secured to the cross bar 20 between the puncturing member 70and the second tank attachment assembly 40. As described herein, thebucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 are preferably removably secured tothe cross bar 20 to allow for easy reconfiguration for different loaderbucket 16 configurations.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the first bucket attachment assembly 50includes a fork tine receiver 52 which is secured to the cross bar 20 ofthe present invention via an attachment bracket 51. The structure andconfiguration of the attachment bracket 51 may vary; the bucketattachment assemblies 50 may be fixedly or removably secured to thecross bar 20. The fork tine receiver 52 is comprised of an elongatedmember which includes a frontal opening 53 leading to an internalcavity. The fork tine receiver 52 is adapted to removably receive a forktine of a loader bucket 16.

The first bucket attachment assembly 50 also includes a first bucketattachment 54 which is comprised of an upper member 55 and a lowermember 56, each of which are preferably elongated, which extend parallelto each other and perpendicular with respect to the cross bar 20. Afirst bucket slot 57 is defined by the upper and lower members 55, 56,wherein the first bucket slot 57 is adapted to removably receive aportion of a loader bucket 16 as shown in FIG. 2.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the second bucket attachment assembly 60includes a fork tine receiver 62 which is secured to the cross bar 20 ofthe present invention via an attachment bracket 61. The structure andconfiguration of the attachment bracket 61 may vary; the bucketattachment assemblies 50 may be fixedly or removably secured to thecross bar 20. The fork tine receiver 62 is comprised of an elongatedmember which includes a frontal opening 63 leading to an internalcavity. The fork tine receiver 62 is adapted to removably receive a forktine of a loader bucket 16.

The second bucket attachment assembly 60 also includes a second bucketattachment 64 which is comprised of an upper member 65 and a lowermember 66, each of which are preferably elongated, which extend parallelto each other and perpendicular with respect to the cross bar 20. Afirst bucket slot 67 is defined by the upper and lower members 65, 66,wherein the first bucket slot 67 is adapted to removably receive aportion of a loader bucket 16 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention,a pair of locking assemblies 58, 68 may be utilized to removably securethe bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 to the cross bar 20. The lockingassemblies 58, 68 may each be comprised of a locking pin which issecured to the locking assembly 58, 68 via a chain. The locking pin maybe positioned within an aperture extending through an end of the eachbucket attachment assembly 50, 60 to secure to the cross bar 20.

E. Puncturing Member

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a puncturing member70 which is adapted to puncture a container 12 when the container 12 islowered thereon. The puncturing member 70 may be comprised of variousconfigurations which are capable of efficiently puncturing a container12 so as to allow it to dispense particular material 13 through thepunctured opening and into a tank 18 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the puncturingmember 70 will be comprised of four triangular-shaped blades which areconfigured to converge at a single point at their respective upper ends.Thus, the overall appearance of the puncturing member 70 in a preferredembodiment will resemble that of a tree or pyramid. The puncturingmember 70 may be fixedly or removably secured to the cross bar 20 via anattachment member 72. The attachment member 72 may be comprised of anystructure capable of efficiently securing the puncturing member 70 tothe cross bar 20.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the present invention is first lifted by a loader bucket 16 bypositioning the loader bucket 16 into the bucket slots 57, 67 of thebucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 as shown in FIG. 2. The presentinvention is then moved by the loader into a position overhead the tank18 in which the particular matter 13 will be dispensed from thepunctured container 12.

The present invention may now be lowered onto the tank 18 as shown inFIG. 3. The first channel 34 of the first tank attachment assembly 30 ispositioned over the first side wall of the tank 18 and the secondchannel 44 of the second tank attachment assembly 40 is positioned overthe second side wall of the tank 18 so that the cross bar 20 extendsover the opening of the tank 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The bucket 16 maythen be retracted from within the bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60.

With the present invention position over the tank 18, a container 12 maybe lifted and lowered onto the puncturing member 70 as shown in FIGS. 4and 5. The container 12 will be punctured such that, when the container12 is lifted up from the puncturing member 70, any particulate matter 13therein will be dispensed through the punctured opening into the tank18.

When dispensing is completed, the present invention may again be securedto the loader bucket 16 via the bucket attachment assemblies 50, 60 andlifted up from the tank 18 before being moved to another location forfurther usage or storage.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialattributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are forconvenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A container puncturing device, comprising:a cross bar; a first tank attachment assembly secured adjacent to afirst end of said cross bar; a second tank attachment assembly securedadjacent to a second end of said cross bar, wherein said first tankattachment assembly and said second tank attachment assembly are eachadapted to be secured over a respective sidewall of a tank; a puncturingmember secured to said cross bar; a first bucket attachment assemblysecured to said cross bar between said first tank attachment assemblyand said puncturing member; and a second bucket attachment assemblysecured to said cross bar between said puncturing member and said secondtank attachment assembly, wherein said first bucket attachment assemblyand said second bucket attachment assembly are each adapted to besecured to a loader bucket.
 2. The container puncturing device of claim1, wherein said first tank attachment assembly is movably secured tosaid cross bar.
 3. The container puncturing device of claim 2, whereinsaid second tank attachment assembly is movably secured to said crossbar.
 4. The container puncturing device of claim 1, wherein said firstbucket attachment assembly is movably secured to said cross bar.
 5. Thecontainer puncturing device of claim 4, wherein said second bucketattachment assembly is movably secured to said cross bar.
 6. Thecontainer puncturing device of claim 1, wherein said puncturing memberis movably secured to said cross bar.
 7. The container puncturing deviceof claim 1, further comprising a first adjustment member securing saidfirst tank attachment assembly to said cross bar and a second adjustmentmember securing said second tank attachment assembly to said cross bar.8. The container puncturing device of claim 1, further comprising afirst attachment bracket securing said first bucket attachment assemblyto said cross bar and a second attachment bracket securing said secondbucket attachment assembly to said cross bar.
 9. The containerpuncturing device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment bracketsecuring said puncturing member to said cross bar.
 10. The containerpuncturing device of claim 1, wherein said cross bar, said first tankattachment assembly, said second tank attachment assembly, said firstbucket attachment assembly, said second bucket attachment assembly andsaid puncturing member are each integrally formed of a unitarystructure.
 11. A container puncturing device, comprising: a cross bar; afirst tank attachment assembly removably secured adjacent to a first endof said cross bar by at least one attachment member; a second tankattachment assembly removably secured adjacent to a second end of saidcross bar by at least one attachment member, wherein said first tankattachment assembly and said second tank attachment assembly are eachadapted to be secured over a respective sidewall of a tank; a puncturingmember removably secured to said cross bar by an attachment bracket; afirst bucket attachment assembly removably secured to said cross barbetween said first tank attachment assembly and said puncturing memberby an attachment bracket; and a second bucket attachment assemblyremovably secured to said cross bar between said puncturing member andsaid second tank attachment assembly by an attachment bracket, whereinsaid first bucket attachment assembly and said second bucket attachmentassembly are each adapted to be secured to a loader bucket.
 12. Thecontainer puncturing device of claim 11, wherein said first tankattachment assembly is comprised of a first side member and a secondside member positioned parallel with respect to each other to define afirst channel.
 13. The container puncturing device of claim 12, whereinsaid second tank attachment assembly is comprised of a first side memberand a second side member positioned parallel with respect to each otherto define a second channel.
 14. The container puncturing device of claim11, further comprising a first cross member linking a first end of saidfirst side member of said first tank attachment assembly to a first endof said second side member of said first tank attachment assembly and asecond cross member linking a second end of said first side member ofsaid first tank attachment assembly to a second end of said second sidemember of said first tank attachment assembly.
 15. The containerpuncturing device of claim 12, wherein said first bucket attachmentassembly includes a first fork tine receiver and said second bucketattachment assembly includes a second fork tine receiver.
 16. Thecontainer puncturing device of claim 15, wherein said first fork tinereceiver includes a front opening and wherein said second fork tinereceiver includes a front opening.
 17. The container puncturing deviceof claim 12, wherein said puncturing member is comprised of a pluralityof blades positioned to form a single point at an upper end thereof. 18.The container puncturing device of claim 12, wherein said first bucketattachment assembly includes a locking assembly.
 19. The containerpuncturing device of claim 18, wherein said locking assembly iscomprised of a chain, wherein a first end of said chain is secured tosaid first bucket attachment assembly and wherein a second end of saidchain is secured to a locking pin.
 20. A container puncturing device,comprising: a cross bar; a first tank attachment assembly removablysecured adjacent to a first end of said cross bar by at least oneattachment member, wherein said first tank attachment assembly iscomprised of a first side member and a second side member positionedparallel with respect to each other to define a first channel; a secondtank attachment assembly removably secured adjacent to a second end ofsaid cross bar by at least one attachment member, wherein said firsttank attachment assembly and said second tank attachment assembly areeach adapted to be secured over a respective sidewall of a tank, whereinsaid second tank attachment assembly is comprised of a first side memberand a second side member positioned parallel with respect to each otherto define a second channel; a puncturing member removably secured tosaid cross bar by an attachment bracket; a first bucket attachmentassembly removably secured to said cross bar between said first tankattachment assembly and said puncturing member by an attachment bracket;a second bucket attachment assembly removably secured to said cross barbetween said puncturing member and said second tank attachment assemblyby an attachment bracket, wherein said first bucket attachment assemblyand said second bucket attachment assembly are each adapted to besecured to a loader bucket; wherein said first bucket attachmentassembly includes a first fork tine receiver and said second bucketattachment assembly includes a second fork tine receiver, wherein saidfirst fork tine receiver includes a front opening and wherein saidsecond fork tine receiver includes a front opening; a first cross memberlinking a first end of said first side member of said first tankattachment assembly to a first end of said second side member of saidfirst tank attachment assembly; and a second cross member linking asecond end of said first side member of said first tank attachmentassembly to a second end of said second side member of said first tankattachment assembly.